Prison Overcrowding & Staff Vacancies
Prison overcrowding combined with high staff vacancies severely undermining the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation and ensure safety.
1,792 items
10 sources
1 inquiry
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#1 - Prison overcrowding and staff vacancies severely undermine the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation
We recognise the Government’s efforts to increase transparency around prison capacity, and its action towards ending the capacity crisis. However, the evidence we received demonstrates that the current level of overcrowding, in combination with a high number of staff vacancies, is having a profound impact on the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation. These failures risk undermining the...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff, vacancie
Committee recommendation
99match
#21 - Severe overcrowding in adult male prisons increases violence and reduces prisoner wellbeing
The adult male estate was operating at 98.0% to 99.7% occupancy between October 2022 and August 2024, with many prisons severely overcrowded.71 HMPPS confirmed that around a quarter (23.6%) of prisoners are sharing cells designed for one person, often with an open toilet.72 The Howard League for Penal Reform provided written evidence which noted that overcrowding increases pressures...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
Committee recommendation
95match
#6 - Produce a comprehensive 15-year public workforce plan with targets to reduce prison staff vacancies.
The Government must produce a comprehensive, public workforce plan for the prison system (including the women’s and children’s estate) for the next fifteen years, modelled on the process used for the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, with commencement of that planning process within three months. This plan should include targets to reduce the number of vacancies at each...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff, vacancie
Committee recommendation
95match
#5 - Publish comprehensive quarterly data on prison staff vacancies, retirements, and skilled worker visas.
HMPPS must be transparent on its workforce data. Data must be captured and published on the vacancy rate for each prison staff role, how many of those roles have staff that are eligible to retire in the next five years, 81 and how many staff are on skilled worker visas. Going forward, this data should be published as...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff, vacancie
IMB annual report
93match
Bullingdon (2022)
HMP Bullingdon faced chronic overcrowding and significant staff shortages, which impacted safety, regime delivery, and staff-prisoner relationships throughout the reporting year. While healthcare provision was generally good and improvements were seen in some areas like equality data analysis and IT systems, challenges such as high violence, drug availability, and prisoner churn hindering progression persisted. The Board highlighted a...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
Committee recommendation
92match
#5 - Set out evaluation of prison capacity pressures on safety, violence, and access to services.
The prison capacity crisis risks undermining the safety and security of prisons and reduces HMPPS’s ability to rehabilitate offenders. Due to MoJ’s and HMPPS’s failure to deliver additional prison capacity, the adult male prison estate was operating at 98.0% to 99.7% occupancy between October 2022 and August 2024 and remains alarmingly full. HMPPS cites 95% occupancy as the...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
91match
#169 - High prison population and overcrowding exacerbate drug demand by limiting purposeful activity and support.
The high prison population and overcrowding lead to a lack of purposeful activity and poor mental health support which exacerbate the existing drivers of drug demand. Efforts to reduce demand are therefore made more challenging and complex. This undermines any chance that prisoners might have of rehabilitation as it makes avoidance almost impossible for those attempting to change....
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison
Committee recommendation
90match
#22 - HMPPS maintains safety 'red lines' during overcrowding, acknowledging continued challenges
We asked HMPPS what it was doing to keep prisoners safe in the context of prisons being so overcrowded.75 It explained that it had introduced three “red lines” which it had stuck to rigidly. These included: keeping at least 1,500 cells that require fire maintenance out of use so that it could continue with remediation work; only crowding...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
Committee recommendation
87match
#27 - Prison capacity crisis significantly strains probation services, exacerbating staffing shortages and rising demand
MoJ and HMPPS told us that the impact of the prison capacity crisis on probation is “significant” and “rising” with pressures likely to increase further if Ministers make decisions to decrease the prison population.88 In September 2024, HMPPS had 5,413 full time equivalent probation officers in post against a target of 7,115, giving a staffing level of 76%.89...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
86match
#26 - MoJ projects continued prison crowding, impacting resettlement activity and rehabilitation outcomes
According to MoJ’s most recent estimate, reoffending in England and Wales costs society approximately £18 billion a year (2017–2018 prices).84 Given MoJ’s and HMPPS’s acknowledgement that crowding impacts prison regimes and can reduce access to purposeful activity and harm rehabilitation, we asked MoJ what level of crowding it had factored into its latest projections.85 It told us that...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
86match
#20 - Ninety-nine percent prison occupancy creates significant inefficiencies across the justice system
HMPPS told us that operating at 99% occupancy creates inefficiencies in the estate and wider justice system. For example, it explained that prisoners often arrive in the wrong part of the estate or wrong part of the country. This means that prisoners often arrive late at night and it also impacts HMPPS’s ability to get them to court...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB annual report
85match
Wormwood Scrubs (2023)
HMP Wormwood Scrubs faced significant challenges during the reporting year, including overcrowding and acute staffing shortages, which adversely impacted safety, regime delivery, and healthcare provision. Many prisoners spent extended periods locked in their cells with limited purposeful activity. Concerns persist regarding mental health transfer delays, an antiquated estate unsuitable for disabled prisoners, and poor food quality, though positive...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
85match
Bedford (2024)
HMP Bedford, a Category B YOI, continues to face significant challenges including persistent overcrowding and an inconsistent induction process, despite some improvements in wing cleanliness and key worker implementation. The report highlights serious concerns regarding healthcare, characterized by poor communication and a decline in drug rehabilitation services. Security remains an issue with illicit items readily entering the prison,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
Committee recommendation
83match
#24 - Overcrowding negatively impacts prison education and pre-release services, hindering reintegration efforts
We also received evidence on how the crisis has impacted education and pre–release services. For example, the Prisoners’ Education Trust told us that overcrowding means education departments in prisons are unlikely to have the capacity needed, and prisoners are more likely to be moved at short notice, without their educational needs being considered.80 HMIP noted that pressures were...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison
IMB annual report
81match
Bullingdon (2021)
HMP Bullingdon faced significant challenges during the reporting year (July 2020 – June 2021), exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions which led to extensive in-cell time and impacted various services. The Board noted chronic overcrowding, an increase in self-harm incidents, and persistent issues with staff experience levels and the provision of mental healthcare. Progression and resettlement efforts were hindered by...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
81match
Chelmsford (2021)
HMP/YOI Chelmsford, a Category B local prison, faced significant challenges during a reporting year heavily impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to a restricted regime with limited purposeful activity and prolonged cell confinement. Key concerns included persistent overcrowding, a severe rat infestation, and substantial delays in handling prisoner complaints and property issues. The prison also struggled with staffing shortages,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
81match
Wandsworth (2023)
HMP Wandsworth faced severe challenges in the reporting year, marked by chronic staff shortages leading to a limited and inconsistent regime. The prison recorded significant increases in assaults, self-harm, and ACCT cases, underscoring serious safety concerns exacerbated by easy access to contraband. Inhumane living conditions, including overcrowding, poor heating, and inadequate healthcare facilities (with a new centre remaining...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
81match
Chelmsford (2025)
HMP Chelmsford, a Category B local prison, reported three deaths in custody and a 4% reduction in self-harm incidents, though the total of 848 remains high. Operational capacity was 660, with 71% of the population being unsentenced, and overcrowding remains a significant concern, especially in the older Victorian wings. The prison saw a decrease in prisoner-on-staff violence but...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
80match
Bullingdon (2020)
HMP Bullingdon, a local and resettlement prison, experienced high overcrowding and staffing challenges, with a significant proportion of inexperienced officers. While physical health services were generally good and some educational outcomes improved, violence and drug finds remained high, and mental health provision, particularly counselling, was inadequate. The COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted the regime, leading to prolonged cell confinement,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
80match
Bedford (2021)
HMP Bedford operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions, largely maintaining safety against the virus. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges with unacceptably high violence levels, exacerbated by overcrowding and prolonged cell confinement. While healthcare provision was generally good, mental health services remained a concern, and resettlement planning was ineffective. Staffing issues, including an inexperienced workforce, also impacted...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
80match
Norwich (2022)
HMP/YOI Norwich faced significant challenges in 2021-2022 due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and chronic staff shortages, impacting regime, safety, and humane treatment. Despite dedicated local leadership and staff efforts, the prison grappled with high self-harm incidents, violence, and inadequate ACCT management. Key issues highlighted include overcrowding, dilapidated facilities, insufficient rehabilitative programmes for long-term prisoners, and concerns regarding the...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
80match
Winchester (2022)
HMP Winchester, a complex local B/C category prison, continues to face significant challenges, including high levels of violence and self-harm, a restricted regime with prolonged cell confinement, and critical issues with its outdated building infrastructure. While staff efforts to provide humane treatment are commendable, severe staffing shortages and high turnover undermine consistency and effective key working. The IMB...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
80match
Bedford (2022)
HMP/YOI Bedford faced significant challenges during the reporting year, operating under "restrict" regimes due to COVID-19 and staff shortages, leading to widespread cell confinement. While positive steps were made in safety initiatives, particularly with a new young adults' wing and improved ACCT processes, the prison continues to struggle with high levels of self-harm and violence. Mental health services...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
Committee recommendation
78match
#25 - Operating prisons at full capacity negatively impacts regimes, prisoners, and victims of crime
We asked MoJ what it had done to understand the impact of the crisis on prisoners and prisoner outcomes.82 MoJ said that the fact it had managed to continue running such a full estate was a testament to the huge efforts of its staff and those in the wider justice system, who were dealing with increased workloads. While...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
78match
#17 - Our Future Probation Service' programme aims to address staff shortfalls with a high-risk approach.
MoJ told us that HMPPS’s ‘Our Future Probation Service’ programme is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to address the root causes of the problems faced by the Probation Service, including shortfalls in staff.33 The programme will introduce new digital tools - over thirty digital initiatives are currently planned - to help reduce the time probation staff need to spend on...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
78match
#16 - Probation Service faces persistent high staff turnover and sickness rates due to mental ill health.
MoJ and HMPPS stated that they were focussing on improving staff retention as well as recruiting more staff. In the year ending March 2025, the leaving rate for probation staff was 9.3%, up from 6.2% in 2021, and sickness rate was 13.2 working days, up from 8.9 in 2021. Poor mental ill health accounted for the largest proportion...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
78match
#3 - Set out when staff workloads will reduce and how to manage future changes.
Longstanding staff shortages have left probation staff dealing with excessive and unmanageable workloads. At March 2025, there were 5,636 full-time equivalent probation officers in post, 79% of target staffing. According to HMPPS’s data, probation officers have been working on average at 118% capacity for several years, with highs of 126% in some regions, including London. However, actual workloads...
Matched on
terms: staff, vacancie
Committee recommendation
77match
#6 - Submit plan to improve rehabilitation, increase probation capacity, and reduce reoffending rates.
MoJ’s and HMPPS’s main focus has been on managing the capacity crisis rather than rehabilitating offenders to reduce reoffending. In 2020, the previous Public Accounts Committee reported that HMPPS was operating hand to mouth by reacting to immediate crises. This remains the case. MoJ’s demand and supply forecasts assume high levels of crowding will continue, but it acknowledges...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB annual report
77match
Brixton (2020)
This report for HMP Brixton (Sept 2019-Aug 2020) highlights continued improvements in safety, with reduced assaults and self-harm, and commends the compassionate management of Covid-19 lockdown. However, the Board raises significant concerns about the severely restrictive regime during lockdown, including the mental health impacts of prolonged cell confinement, the lack of in-cell education, and inadequate family contact. Persistent...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison
IMB annual report
77match
Chelmsford (2022)
HMP Chelmsford, a category B local prison, showed mixed performance in the reporting year ending August 2022. While levels of violence and self-harm decreased, and there were no deaths in custody, significant concerns persist regarding overcrowding (49% of prisoners sharing single cells) and long-standing issues with lost prisoner property. Staff shortages heavily impacted healthcare appointments, purposeful activity, and...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB recommendation
77match
Lindholme (2023)
Overcrowding. We are aware that the problems of overcrowding are caused by a lack of capacity in the prison estate and that these are influenced by several factors. However, the problem remains a very real one which is causing difficulties for prison staff, as well as having a detrimental effect on the mental health of prisoners and reducing...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Durham (2025)
HMP Durham, a reception and resettlement prison, housed an average of 961 men against an operational capacity of 985 during the reporting year. The Board observed improvements in first-night healthcare screening and a reduction in self-harm incidents, alongside a significant increase in overall deaths in custody. Persistent overcrowding, inadequate regime delivery with prisoners spending 21.5 hours in cells,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Swansea (2025)
HMP Swansea operates as a Category B/C prison for men, generally maintaining a safe and stable environment despite an overcrowded Victorian estate and significant prisoner turnover. While healthcare access is timely and education has improved, key challenges include extensive waits for mental health transfers, persistent issues with property complaints, and inconsistent staff practices regarding key working and the...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Hewell (2025)
HMP Hewell, a local Category B reception prison, continues to face significant challenges from overcrowding, high population churn, and court backlogs, despite dedicated efforts by staff. Positive developments include a reduction in self-harm, a proportionate approach to use of force, and impactful peer mentorship schemes, alongside strong commitment to equality. However, profound concerns persist regarding mental health provision,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Lindholme (2021)
HMP Lindholme operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, leading to prolonged lockdowns, reduced regime, and limited purposeful activity, though self-harm and violence incidents decreased. While healthcare adapted well and staffing levels improved, concerns persist regarding high numbers of OCG prisoners, substance misuse, overcrowding, and delays in sentence progression. The IMB highlighted the negative impact of limited time out of...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Durham (2021)
HMP Durham is generally considered a safe environment, with staff commended for managing pandemic challenges and implementing effective drug strategies. However, the Board holds significant concerns regarding severe overcrowding and the dignity of prisoners in unsuitable cellular accommodation. Healthcare provision is deemed unsatisfactory due to long waiting times and low screening rates, while education delivery is hampered by...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Pentonville (2022)
Pentonville, a Category B/C YOI, operated with an average population of 1,043 against an operational capacity of 1,000, facing severe overcrowding and infrastructure issues. The reporting year was marked by significant staff shortages, leading to a restricted regime with many prisoners locked in cells for nearly 23 hours a day, hampering rehabilitation efforts. Key concerns include dilapidated buildings,...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison, staff
IMB annual report
76match
Bristol (2022)
HMP Bristol has demonstrated positive improvements in safety, with reductions in self-harm and staff assaults, and effective Covid-19 management. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges, including an insufficient staffing budget and high non-effective rates that frequently impact regime delivery, purposeful activity, and key worker provision. Concerns persist regarding the Victorian infrastructure, particularly poor disability access and...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Lee Curran
PPO recommendations for high cholesterol and loss of consciousness protocols were not fully implemented, with NICE guidelines ignored by doctors. Additionally, prison staff lacked training in accurate medical note-taking, leading to incorrect entries.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Lee MacPherson
Delayed police risk assessments and a lack of common understanding between escort and prison staff regarding critical handover documentation posed significant safety risks during transfers.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Darren Wright
Emergency response was hindered by a staff nurse's inability to locate the incident and a lack of recent CPR training among prison officers due to resource limitations.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Blaise Farry
Insufficient staffing levels at HMP Wormwood Scrubs prevent the implementation of a nominated Officer scheme, despite prior recommendations, impacting prisoner welfare and safety.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Derek Thomas
Prison reception procedures failed under extreme pressure, leading to suicide risk information being overlooked due to staffing issues. Additionally, there was poor communication and conflicting understanding between prison and escort staff regarding critical safety form procedures.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
PFD report
73match
Calam Atour
Chronic understaffing in the prison system compromises officer safety and prisoner welfare. The method for determining staffing levels also fails to account for the specific risks posed by the inmate population type.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
Committee recommendation
73match
#6 - Provide latest 5-10 year projections for prison population, capacity, new prisons and resettlement.
Unprecedented pressures on the prison estate threaten the quality of resettlement services today and in the future. The prison estate is under “exceptional” pressure to meet current demands on capacity. At the end of March 2023, the prison population was at around 99% (84,400) of safe capacity (85,500). MoJ forecasts that the prison population could reach somewhere in...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB annual report
73match
Belmarsh (2022)
HMP Belmarsh experienced a challenging reporting year with improvements in health and wellbeing provision and a commitment to safety, though HMIP noted safety had deteriorated. The prison addressed equality and diversity issues through dedicated leadership and improved data, but concerns remain regarding disparities in outcomes for protected characteristics. Staffing issues, particularly high ‘non-effectives’ despite target numbers, curtailed regimes...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB annual report
73match
Wakefield (2023)
HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, is generally considered safe and humane, with observed improvements in healthcare provision. However, the Board noted a significant increase in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and ongoing concerns regarding staffing experience levels, which impact prisoner safety and support quality. Delays in mental health transfers to secure hospitals remain a major issue, alongside an insufficient purposeful activity...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB annual report
73match
Belmarsh (2024)
HMP Belmarsh, a Category A local prison, faces significant challenges in providing purposeful activity and rehabilitation opportunities, particularly for HSU and sentenced prisoners, amid rising illicit item seizures and high violence levels. While healthcare provision has improved under a new provider, mental health support, transfers, and bed shortages remain problematic. The Board is concerned about overcrowding, prolonged segregation...
Matched on
terms: overcrowding, prison
IMB annual report
73match
Bronzefield (2024)
Bronzefield faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to severe staff shortages impacting all aspects of the regime, leading to prisoners being locked up for extended periods and missing activities. Healthcare delivery was suboptimal due to lack of staff and poor coordination, resulting in medication delays and cancelled appointments. The prison also grappled with a high...
Matched on
terms: prison, staff
IMB recommendation
73match
Aylesbury (2022)
Deliver a robust, imaginative and flexible new recruitment strategy across the prison estate, backed by the resources needed to increase and sustain higher staffing levels.
Matched on
terms: prison, staff